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Genistein, a naturally occurring chemical present in soy, has attracted scientific interest for its possible benefits in cancer and heart disease prevention. Genistein is a type of chemical called a phytoestrogen—an estrogen-like substance present in some plants. There are two main types of phytoestrogens:
isoflavones
and
lignans
.
Soy
is the most abundant source of isoflavones, with genistein the most abundant isoflavone in soy. Red clover is also a good source of genistein.

Like other phytoestrogens, genistein can work in two ways: either by increasing or decreasing the effects of estrogen. This happens because genistein binds to special sites on cells called estrogen receptors. Genistein stimulates these receptors, but not as strongly as real estrogen; at the same time, it blocks estrogen itself from attaching. The net result is that when there is a lot of estrogen in the body, such as before menopause, genistein may partly block its effects. Since estrogen appears to increase the risk of various forms of cancer, regular use of genistein by premenopausal women might help reduce this risk. On the other hand, if there is little human estrogen present, such as after menopause, genistein can partly make up for it. This is one rationale for using genistein to treat menopausal symptoms and to prevent osteoporosis.

Genistein might also be helpful for reducing heart disease risk.

Requirements/Sources

Genistein is found in high quantities in soy and in negligible quantities in a few other foods. Most soy foods contain about 1 mg to 2 mg of genistein per gram of protein.
3

For more information on the proper dosage of isoflavones in general, see the full
Isoflavone
article.

Therapeutic Dosages

The optimum dosage of genistein is unknown. In Asia, population groups who eat soy foods daily containing 20 mg to 80 mg of genistein have lower rates of breast and prostate cancer than do groups in the West with less genistein in their diets.
4
However, we don't know whether genistein (or even soy isoflavones generally) are responsible for this effect.

Isoflavone mixtures containing genistein have undergone considerably more study than genistein alone. Mixed isoflavones have shown promise for most of the conditions just mentioned, as well as
menopausal symptoms
and
cyclic mastalgia
.

For example, in a 24 month double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 389 postmenopausal women with mild bone loss, use of genistein at a dose of 54 mg daily significantly improved bone density, as compared to placebo. (All participants were additionally given calcium and vitamin D.)
57

In a previous 12-month study, 90 women aged 47 to 57 were given genistein, standard hormone replacement therapy (HRT), or placebo.
49
The results showed that genistein increased bone density to approximately the same extent as HRT. No adverse effects on the uterus or breast were seen.

Interestingly, unlike estrogen, which primarily helps prevent the destruction of bone, evidence suggests that genistein may also assist in creating new bone.
8,9,49

However, in one animal study, while a small dose of genistein helped protect the rats' bones, a larger dose of genistein seemed to have the opposite effect—causing increasing bone destruction.
10
Studies in humans are needed to determine whether genistein is truly effective and to find the optimum dose.

Other studies have evaluated the effects of soy products containing other constituents besides genistein. For more information, see the full
Soy
and
Soy Isoflavones
articles.

Menopausal Symptoms (Hot Flashes)

A double-blind study of 247 women suffering from menopausal hot flashes compared the effects of placebo and genistein over a period of one year.
55
Genistein was taken at a dose of 54 mg per day. The results indicated that use of genistein significantly reduced hot flashes as compared to placebo. No adverse effects were seen.

Cancer

Genistein may help reduce risk of various forms of
cancer
. In one study, newborn female rats treated with genistein had less breast cancer later in life than those treated with placebo.
16
However, other studies suggest that genistein or other isoflavones could promote breast cancer under certain conditions. (See Safety Issues below.)

In the test tube, genistein has been found to suppress the growth of a wide range of cancer cells, including forms of cancer that are not affected by estrogen.
11,12
For example, genistein has been found to inhibit skin cancer when it was applied to the skin of mice or fed to rats.
14,15
Furthermore, in test tube studies, genistein has been found to enhance the effects of
chemotherapy drugs
.
13

Heart Disease

One double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that use of genistein helped relax the artery wall (the endothelium), an effect that would be expected to help prevent
heart disease
.
54
In addition,
test tube studies
suggest that genistein may help keep cholesterol in the blood from depositing in blood vessel walls.
20
Finally, very early test tube research suggests genistein may also inhibit the formation of blood clots, which are a major cause of
heart attacks
.
21

Safety Issues

Most safety studies that have implications for genistein involved mixed isoflavones from soy or red clover.
For more information, see the Safety Issues section of the
Isoflavone
article.

Regarding genistein alone, one large study reported that genistein caused significant gastrointestinal side effects in almost 20% of participants.
57

Additionally, some evidence suggests that the genistein in particular might impair immunity. One study in mice found that injected genistein has negative effects on the thymus gland (an organ that is important for immunity) and also causes changes in the prevalence of various white blood cells consistent with impaired immunity.
34
Although the genistein was injected rather than administered orally, the blood levels of genistein that these injections produced were not excessively high; they were comparable to (or even lower than) what occurs in children fed soy milk formula. In addition, there are several reports of impaired immune responses in infants fed soy formula.
35-38
While it is too early to conclude that genistein impairs immunity, these findings are a potential cause for concern.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

Messina M, Gardner C, Barnes S. Gaining insight into the health effects of soy but a long way still to go: commentary on the fourth International Symposium on the Role of Soy in Preventing and Treating Chronic Disease.
J Nutr.
2002;132:547S-551S.